Normal Text Larger Text

Newsletter

With Parental Power Comes Great Responsibility

July 19th 2010

Good Dental Habits Have a Trickle Down Effect in the Family

Every parent remembers the moment when their baby, their pride and joy, became just a little too old for that goodbye kiss on the cheek or other

overt display of affection. At that moment, you may have felt that your parental sway had forever diminished. But a recent study from the Journal

of Dental Research reaffirms the influence that parents have in affecting the habits of their children. It found that the oral health of a child’s parents, particularly his or her mother, is highly indicative of that child’s own oral health condition.

If a mother has tooth decay, the study states, then her child is twice as likely as other children to have cavities. Just

one more reason for you, as a parent, to schedule those twice-yearly cleanings and checkups at your family dentist’s office. The example you set for your children will yield benefits for you and for them. Though their baby teeth are only a precursor to their adult smile, keeping those teeth well-cared for is important so they maintain adequate space and prepare properly for the full-sized teeth to come.

Poor oral health, on the other hand, can lead to a variety of diseases and health complications. Unlike your grandfather’s heirloom watch, tooth decay is one thing you don’t want to hand down to your family’s future generations. Plant the seed of responsible oral health habits and watch it grow in your children. They still look to you to set the trends–believe it!

Attention Athletes! Shocking News About Energy Drinks

July 2nd 2010

We all know soda is bad for our teeth. You may have even done one of those experiments in third grade where you place a baby tooth in Coke overnight and witness the horrifying consequences. Well researchers have done a similar experiment with popular fitness drinks and with startling results. According to a study published in the AGD’s journal General Dentistry, energy drinks can cause 3 to 11 times more enamel erosion than soft drinks.

Here’s what went down:
Scientists immersed cavity-free teeth in a variety of popular beverages and let them fester for 14 days, which equals about 13 years of normal beverage consumption. As you can imagine, all the beverages tested caused pretty significant damage to the tooth enamel, but certain players stepped up to the plate and really knocked it out of the park. In order of ferocity:

• Lemonade
• Energy Drinks
• Sports Drinks
• Fitness Water
• Iced Tea
• Cola

Were the results what you expected? If you’re like most dental-conscious people, you probably would have grabbed a Vitamin Water over a Coca-Cola any day. Alas! Fitness waters, energy drinks, and sports beverages actually contain more additives and organic acids that advance tooth erosion. These organic acids are especially damaging because of their ability to breakdown calcium, which is an essential ingredient for strong teeth and gums.

In addition to tooth decay, these drinks can contribute to staining and hypersensitivity caused by softened tooth enamel. To minimize the impact these drinks have on your teeth, limit your intake, drink with a straw when possible, and rinse your mouth out with water after drinking sugary or acidic beverages. Sipping your Gatorade throughout the day may exacerbate the problem, since you’re exposing your mouth repeatedly to teeth-eating acids.

One more thing…

Don’t brush your teeth! WHAAATTT??? You exclaim, obviously shocked that dental experts would ever give you advice that contradicts everything you’ve come to believe about oral hygiene. Settle down. We’re not saying don’t brush your teeth ever – just don’t brush them promptly after chugging your breakfast of Red Bull and Life Water. The abrasives in toothpaste can actually cause more damage because of the softened state of your acid-exposed tooth enamel. Wait at least 45 minutes before brushing and consider rinsing with water to flush away excess sugars.

P.S.
If you’re concerned about tooth decay, stains, or sensitivity, talk to your dentist. Certain pro-active dental treatments and oral hygiene products can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent bacteria from scoring points on the home team (your mouth).

Tooth Loss = Lower Cognition Ability?

June 22nd 2010

Recently, researchers published a study analyzing the effects that tooth loss and periodontal disease have on cognitive decline. The outcome discovered a possible link that’s sure to give dentists and patients a cause for increased vigilance in dental health.

Researchers combed through dental records of male veterans who had enrolled in a VA dental study in the 60’s and 70’s, and compared them to cognitive tests the subjects underwent. These tests, one the Mini-Mental State Examination and the other a spatial copying test, were administered along with medical and dental exams every three years. The result? For each tooth lost per decade, the risk of deteriorating test results from the cognitive assessments increased 8 to 10 percent. People with all their natural teeth performed better on average than those with tooth loss, but those with more cavities usually tested poorly.

One doctor conducting the study suggested inflammation as a likely cause of these issues. Periodontal disease, which is deeply intertwined with tooth loss and dental decay, introduces inflammatory proteins into the blood. Other medical research has already linked higher inflammation levels with cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

While the association between tooth loss, gum disease, and cognition hasn’t been clearly defined as yet, the circumstantial evidence is piling up. There are more reasons than ever to take good care of your natural teeth and ensure they stay strong and healthy for the years to come. Brushing and flossing every day goes a long way to achieving that goal, as well as regular visits to your dentist’s office. There, your dental team can create a customized plan to keep gum disease and tooth loss at bay.

The Mouth-Body Connection

June 4th 2010

You’ve probably heard of the mind-body connection. Basically, it states that your psychological well-being and your physical health are closely linked. So, if you’re prone to stress, for example, you can elevate your blood pressure and increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Well scientists are finally beginning to realize that your oral health plays a role in your physical health, as well (dentist have known this for years). Check out these headlines:

• Gum Disease Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke (AAP)
• Study Finds a Direct Association between Heart Disease and Periodontal Bacteria (NIDCR)
• Treatment of Gum Disease May Lower Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetes (Science Daily)
• First Oral Bacteria Found Linking a Mother and Her Stillborn Baby (Science Daily)
• Presence of Gum Disease May Help Dentists and Physicians Identify Those at Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease (Columbia University)

Sounds intense, right? It should. Your oral health is a serious matter, and preventing gum disease may be the key to a healthier you in the future. So, what is gum disease anyway? Gum disease is a chronic infection that typically stems from poor oral hygiene (i.e. not flossing, avoiding dental visits, etc.). It’s hard to imagine that an infection in your gums can have such a dramatic impact on things like the heart, the lungs, bones, blood-sugar levels, and fetal development, but it does. Here’s how:

Bacteria from your gums can affect your body in four ways:

1. Circulatory System – bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the gums and travel to other parts of the body. As it travels, it can cause secondary infections or contribute to diseases already in progress.

2. Immune System – the body’s inflammatory response to gum disease can trigger other inflammatory diseases (heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure) and cause arteries to swell.

3. Respiratory System – the bacteria from gum disease adheres to saliva droplets that you inhale. You can actually breathe-in the bacteria every time you inhale. This can cause pulmonary infections and respiratory problems.

4. Blood Sugar – gum disease increases blood-sugar levels and makes diabetes harder to control.

Still not convinced? Watch this video:

The bottom line? You can eat right, work out every day, and visit your doctor regularly, but if you neglect your oral health, you’re essentially shooting yourself in the foot. Visit your dentist regularly and prevent gum disease from sabotaging your efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Together, you, your dentist, and your physician can help prevent systemic illnesses from spiraling out of control.

Putting the Squeeze on Toothpaste

May 24th 2010

As Woody Allen says, “Everything our parents say is good is bad. Sun, milk, red meat, college…” Now, many dentists are adding toothpaste to the list. Recent articles bashing toothpaste have littered the blogosphere, and now many consumers question the necessity of the stuff. So, what’s the deal? Is toothpaste really necessary, or have we all been duped by a mass conspiracy involving our parents, the Tooth Fairy, and Colgate stockholders?

Toothpaste goes way back. In fact, Egyptians used toothpaste in 5000 BC, before the toothbrush was even invented! Even in ancient times, people were concerned with fresh breath, white teeth, and healthy gums. Ingredients like crushed bones and oyster shells, salt and herbal mints helped remove debris and leave a fresh-smelling aroma. Modern toothpastes have continued the trend, adding ingredients to help curb decay and whiten teeth to the max. Common ingredients in modern toothpastes include:

• Humectants: Moisturizing agents such as glycerine, sorbitol, and water prevent your toothpaste from turning to dust after you buy it.
• Abrasives: To remove stains and plaque, toothpastes contain gritty substances such as calcium phosphates, alumina, calcium carbonate, and silica.
• Fluoride: Proven to remineralize tooth surfaces, fluoride provides decay-fighting power that most dentists agree is essential.
• Detergents: Many toothpastes contain detergents to create that refreshing foaming action.
• Flavoring Agents: Peppermint, cinnamon, citrus, even chocolate… toothpaste without it would feel more like a punishment.
• Preservatives, Dyes, and Sweeteners: Trace amounts of each give modern toothpastes lasting appeal.

So, where’s the conflict? If toothpaste has been used since ancient times, and all the ingredients are legitimate, then why should I worry? A few causes for controversy have cropped up.

First under the microscope: fluoride. While proven essential to preventing cavities in small doses, when ingested, fluoride can have harmful effects. Children are especially prone to swallowing toothpaste, which can cause permanent staining (fluorosis). Most dentists agree that fluoridated toothpaste provides essential protection for both children and adults; however, many Americans tend to go overboard—loading their toothbrush with inch-long worms of toothpaste. Using only a PEA-sized drop of toothpaste will prevent over-exposure.

Next on the agenda: abrasives. In today’s culture, the whiter the teeth the better! Well, toothpaste companies have delivered the goods—often chalking their products with harsh abrasives that can actually damage tooth enamel. Combined with consumers who brush harder and more frequent than ever, the result can cause increased tooth sensitivity and small scratches that actually attract more stains. The lesson here? Brush with a soft toothbrush, brush gently, and be wary of toothpastes that advertise extreme whitening. The ADA seal of approval tells you whether the paste has been tested for safety and effectiveness.

In addition to their cavity-fighting powers, delicious toothpastes give children and adults an incentive to brush. Just be careful that that incentive doesn’t spur any toothpaste-eating addictions, and when in doubt, consult your dentist about the right toothpaste for your lifestyle. Everyone has different oral health needs, and your dentist or hygienist will steer you in the right direction for a bright, healthy, and conscientious smile.